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Absolutely Fantastic

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

No pun intended with my summary line. I actually did expect something along the lines of "Zatoichi" when I watched this at a local cinema, as part of Retrospective. Well I was in for a treat (and if you have seen the movie, you do know what I'm talking about), because it is anything but that.I like Zatoichi-style action, don't get me wrong and there is quite a bit of action on display here. But mainly the "sword of justice" might be something else than you'd expect. Unless you know what you are getting into that is. Speaking of "getting into" ... well better not, I don not want to get to graphic here. The movie is doing more than a good job, so I leave it to the film to blow your mind (if you can get your head around the idea and weirdness of it all, that is). The ending did seem a bit rushed though ... but I guess that happened for a reason.

Warning: This is one of the most amazingly adult and disturbing films I have seen in a very long time! Despite it appearing on The Independent Film Channel, the content is far more adult than what you'd normally see on this cable channel. Don't say I didn't warn you!! When this film began, I was very happy to see Shintaro Katsu in the lead. After all, I love his Zatoichi films as the character is very easy to like and the action terrific. However, was I ever in for a shock when I saw "Goyôkiba". Instead of playing a combination of a ronin (a master-less traveling samurai) and social worker like Zatoichi, here in Goyôkiba Katsu plays a policeman with very, very, very unorthodox methods---very, very, very ADULT and unorthodox methods. You see, Katsu is into sadomasochism and spends much of his time torturing himself and doing amazingly brutal things to his penis in order to turn it into a...well,...a....super-penis, of sorts. The scene of him beating himself (no pun intended) with a large stick to toughen his member is tough to watch and not for the squeamish. If this wasn't disturbing enough, the reason for this (other than the fact he has found a way to masturbate that's MORE disturbing than auto-erotic asphyxiation) is that he uses his super-member to rape women as he questions them about crimes. And, to play into the age-old rape myth, the ladies being brutalized by this all have immensely pleasurable climaxes and give themselves totally to this sicko cop.After saying all this, do I really need to go on and describe more?! This is a misogynistic film that will disturb many and make others angry as it promotes not only rape but sexual sadomasochism. Pretty weird stuff and NOT a film I would recommend to anyone. I really worry about people who like this stuff and want to see more!

I am an avid lover of Japanese Exploitation cinema, especially from the seventies, and Kenji Misumi's "Goyôkiba" aka. "Hanzo The Razor: Sword Of Justice" of 1972 is a unique and utterly brilliant film, and an absolute must-see for any fan of exploitation made in Nippon, or cult-cinema lover in general. Sleazy, violent and full of ingeniously black humor, this cult-masterpiece ranks among my personal all-time favorites, and among the truly essential highlights of Exploitation cinema from the Land of the Rising Sun. The brilliant Shintarô Katsu (most famous for the role of Zatoichi, the blind swordsman whom he played in twenty-seven films) is Hanzo 'The Razor' Itami, the incorruptible constable of the lowest rank. Hanzo despises corruption and regularly mocks his superior officers for their weaknesses. The film is, alike most good exploitation films, the absolute opposite of political correctness. The incorruptible Hanzo's interrogation techniques include raping female suspects - who immediately give themselves up to him voluntarily once they have tasted his incomparable sexual powers. Hanzo is blessed with a giant penis, that he strengthens in bizarre rituals. He regularly submits himself to torture in order to become tougher and to improve his own interrogation techniques. He despises the swells and sees his profession in the service for the common people...The film features a lot of sleaze, as well as some pretty gory scenes of bloody violence. All this comes along with a super-cool jazzy/funky score and a great sense of macabre humor. Hanzo has sometimes been compared to the super-cool heroes of contemporary blaxploitation flicks - but he is better than that. Hanzo 'The Razor' Itami is the epitome of coolness, and easily one of the coolest (anti-)hero characters in motion picture history. Period. And nobody could have played this unique character even nearly as brilliantly as the great Shintarô Katsu, one of the most unforgettable stars of Japanese cinema. Yukiji Asaoka and Mari Atsumi are the yummy female cast that come to enjoy Hanzo's 'interrogation techniques'. I don't want to give too much away, but I can assure that this personal favorite of mine is a film that must be seen by any lover of cult cinema and exploitation or cineaste in general. "Hanzo" is brilliant Cult cinema at its finest. Brilliant, Unique and absolutely Essential! 10/10

This is the first 1970's ultra gory Japanese samurai movie I have seen, and I must say I consider myself a fan. (Although I have only see one other). There are some especially violent scenes, lots of fake blood, lots of sex, and a funky soundtrack. Interesting sexual activity too, maybe be offensive. There is also lots of comedy in this picture, mostly about Hanzo's penis. This film will shock you, and make you laugh with disbelief, but you will ultimately be amazed